Connector plug assembly



Oct. 10, 1961 G. K. DICKENSON ET AL 3,004,236

CONNECTOR PLUG ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 23, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 6 6b 35 67 Bl a? g/ f6 .93 6 tarmgys.

Oct. 10, 1961 G. K. DICKENSON ETAL 3,004,236

CONNECTOR PLUG ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-$heet 2 Filed Dec. 23, 1959 U ite This invention relates generally to connectors for effecting interconnection between a multiple conductor cable and electrical apparatus or another cable, and more particularly to a connector plug assembly.

Multiple contact connectors are commonly employed for removably connecting multiple conductor cables to complex electronic apparatus. Since the connector plug on'the end-of the cable is both subject to mechanical damage, as by dropping, and to the entry'of dust and other foreign matter, as by being dragged along the ground, it is generally necessary that the connector plug not only be mechanically rugged, but also incorporate means sealing the interior thereof against the entry of dust and dirt. Further, since a' wide variety of cable sizes are utilized in electronic apparatus, it is desirable that connector plug assemblies be capable of accommodating such variety of cable sizes, and types, with a minimum number of components. It is additionally desirable that the connector plug assembly provide strain relief for the cable.

It is therefore an object of our invention to provide an improved connector plug assembly.

Another object of our invention is to provide an improved connector plug assembly for multiple conductor cable incorporating the desirable features set forth above.

Our invention, in its broader aspects, provide a connector plug assembly having a base member with an insulating-contact supporting member inserted therein having a plurality of contact elements depending therethrough, with portions projecting on its inner side. The base member has a pair of spaced apart side plate members extending upwardly therefrom on opposite sides of the contact supporting member-and a section of electrical cable is provided having apl-urality of conductors extending from one end thereof and respectively attached to the contact element projecting portions. A dust cover atent member is provided preferably formed of insulating material having a hollow body portion open at one end and having a sleeve portion formed on and extending from its other end. The cable extends through the sleeve portion of the dustcover member and thewbody portion is positioned between the-side platemernbersiwith its bottom edge engaging the base member and-peripherally surrounding the contact supporting member. thereby closing-the projecting portions of the contact elements and the" cable conductors attached thereto. A pair of cooperating outer cover members are provided. respectively 7 extending between the side plate members andengaging.

the same, the cover members substantially enclosing and mechanically protecting the dust cover member body portion. The covergrnembers have mating cutout portions formed therein with the dust cover sleeve portion extending through the opening defined thereby. I Means are provided having a first portion clamping the dust cover sleeve portion and V engaging the cover' members thereby'rnaintain'ing the connector in assembled relationship and providing strain relief for the cable.

second .portions respectively come more apparent and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view-of the connector plug assembly of our invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the connector plug assembly of FIG 1; J

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;, I FIG. 4 is an exploded view, partly broken away, further illustrating our improved connector plug assembly; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional. view similar to FIG. 3 but showing a modified form of our connector plug assembly; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view showing. the insert member of the connector plug assembly of FIG. 5.

Referring now to- FIGS. 1 through 4 of the drawing,

our improved connector plug assembly, generally indicated at 10, is shown employed for connecting the co-nductors of cable 11 to a complementary connector 12 mounted on panel 13 of other apparatus (not shown), engagement and disengagement assembly with the complementary connector part 12 being-facilitated by actuating mechanism 14. The connector actuating mechanism 14 and its associated connector part 12 do not form a part of our present invenas shown. A plurality of contact elements extendthrough contact supporting member 19 and have a plurality of portions 21 projecting from its inner surface, .22. The depending portion 17 of base member 15 is adapted to be received in a complementary recess in connector 12 so that-flange portion 16 abuts mounting panel 13. The contact elements of the connector plug assembly shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 are shown as being of the female type, thus respectively receiving the complementary male contact elements of the connector part 12 positioned on the bottom of the recess which receives depending portion 17 of base member 15 (not shown). It will be readily understood however that the contact elements can equally well be of the male type.

, A multiple conductor electrical cable-.23 is provided having a plurality of conductors 24 extendingfrom its end.25 and respectively connected to the contact element projecting portions 21 in any suitable manner as by soldering or crimping. An adaptor sleeve 26 formed of suitable insulating material, such as vinyl, is arranged over cable 23 adjacent end 25 and embraces the same, as shown.

A dust cover member 27 is able resilient insulating material, such as vinyl.

cover member 27 has agenerally rectangular,

provided formed of suit- Dust of the connector plug formed ofsuitable metal, such.

thin Wall,

body portion 28 open at one end and having a sleeve portion 29 extending from its other end. As best seen in FlG. 3, sleeve portion 29 of dust cover member 27 is arranged over the adaptor sleeve 26, embracing the same, and the peripheral edge 31 of body portion 28 en- 5 gages the upper surface of flange portion 16 of base member 15 peripherally surrounding contact supporting member 19, thereby enclosing end 25 of cable 23, the projecting portions 21 of the contact elements and the cable conductors 24 attached-thereto A patriot spaced apart parallel generally rectangular side-plate members 31=and-32--are provided secured to flange mention-'16 ot-basemember at opposite ends. of opening-e18 :and extending 'upwardly therefrom. Side I plate members 31 and-'32 are. formed of suitable metal, such-as :steel,'-'and=1a're attaehed to fiangeqaortion 160i base member 15 by an suitable-means,'-such as screws 33: It will be observed;-: withparticular reference to FIG. 4 that the body portion 28 of the dust cover memher-"27 -is disposed -between the"side-plate rnembers 32 with its opposite ends preferably respectively in engage-1'; ment with theirvinnerssurfaces. .Pinsz34 and :35 extend outwardly-' from the: sideplate members 31 'andn32 co operating-:respectively with openendedcslots 36 and 37 in members-38 :of actuator assembly 14; as further de-" scribed in the aforementioned Wamsley applicatiom'pins- 34 and- 35 itherefore not' forming'n part of thepresent' invention.

'Ihe'opposite side-edges? and 41 of eachof the side plate membersfll and :32 respectively:have-notchedpor= v.30 tions 42 :-and "43 formed- =therein adjacent their bottom 1 edges 44 foraa' purpose to te -hereinafter .describedn- In order mechanically to protect: dust' 'covermember 27,: a pairaof cooperating outercover members 45 and 46 are providedreachhavingm: generallyL-shaped cross- '35 section; thereby defining 'ztop walls'47 and148and side-' walls 49' and -51.': Co ve'r members':45 'and' =46-respec-x: tivelyfextend bet-We'en side plate members 31 and 32 :With their-top walls.47 and 48 respectively-engagingtop edgesw 52 of the sideplate .mernbers31 and 132, and with Ztheir;.40 side walls 49- and 51 respectivelysengaging:the opposite A side walls 39 and 41. It will be seen, with particular reference-to F1632 that the top longitudinal 2edges53' and 54 of the cover members :45'randf46 are .ljuxta'posie tioned, -i.e.,- either directly abutting: or closely: adjacent, as shown. Asbest 'seen in FIG- 3, the bOttomedgesS-S and- 56 are :closely a'djacent :the' upperzsurfacei of flange p0rti'on 16 of basemember 15. Cover"- membersrw 45 and 46 are :maintained in engagement: with l side platew members-31 a'nd 3l by means of tabs 57 andr58 formed .5 fromabottonredges-SSand 56 which respectively engage the*notclie's-42 and '43 in the sideplate=members 31fand't: 32, as sho'wn;- -Each cover member 45946-11215 3, dimple 60 formedin the "respective side-wall-49,-' 51 which abuts i the inner surface 'of sideplate member41 m order. to preclude sidewis'e movement moslipping ofsthe cover membersafter complete assembly of the connectorsplug.

Thetop walls 4-7 -and"4'8"o"f the cover members 45 and 46 have matin'g'cufiout portions '59 and 61::respectively:z 2 extending outwardl-y from theiratop I longitudinal redges' 6 53 and -54; "cut'-out portions 59 i1nd 61= beingiin align-c mentg -the reby defining; an opening through-nwhichl the sleeve portion 29 0f dust-cover memben 27 extends as S shown. a

In -order to ho1d-the connector plug lt) in assembledrelation and to provide strain relief *for" cabled], a pair of clamp members 62"and63are provided'each'havinga clamping portion 64a.nd"a leg porti'on'i65f' Clamping portion -'64"'l1'as' extensions 66*and: 67 which" are-secured together in any 's'uitable'mannenias by"thraded'fasteners' 68 engagingnuts 70 preferably secured"to"the"respec'tive" extensions 66, 67, thereby holding the clamping portions 64 in clam-ping relationship on the"slee've'portioni29"0'f dust cover 27,"'as shown. Each of the outercover"me'm-' bers 45 and 46has a projection "69 fonnedoutwardly' the uiust Licover' 27- and adaptor'i sleeve- 26 ain place stheyii:

from its side wall 49 and 51, respectively, and the leg portion 65 of the clamping members 62 and 63 respectively extend over the top walls 47 and 48 and the side walls 49 and 51 of the cover members 45 and 46, and are provided with hook portions 71 on the ends thereof which respectively engage projecting portions 69, as best seen in FIG. 3.

It will now be seen that the clamping members 62 and 63, through their clamping portions 64 effectively clamp sleeve portion '29 of dust cover 27 in turn clamping the same to cable 11, thus providing strain relief. Cooperative engagement ofhoole portions 71 'of-leg -portions 65 of the clamping members '62- and 63 with projections 69 in turn' maintain"theco ver'memb'eis*45-*and"46 in their assembled relation, and thus, tensionexerted'upon cable 11 is applied to the side plates-3.1 'and 32- ratheithan on the conductors 24 and contact element projecting portions 21.

The -embodiment-of-FIGS. 1 through 4, inclusive, shows a connectorplugassembly having-a, male depending portion 17 incorporating female-typew contact elen1entsconnected-:to a multiple conductor cablen As shownin FIG. 5, in which like elements are-indicated bylikereference'numerals -our-invention -is equally applicable to a connector plug assembly, having-a female recess-for receiving-a complementary male connector portion,.-and having male-type .-contact= elements. The embodiment of FIG.-5 is furthersuitablefOrMseWith-one or more coaxial cables; Here, .the base member 15 does not have thedepending portion 17 of-the previous figuresand thecontaot' -supporting:member 19 has-a recess 72 formedtherein-with male contact elements 'iii positioned therein and extending through bottom portion 74'as'showns. In orderto accommodate one or more coaxial cables, thesleeve member :26 of FIGS.- 1 through: 4 takes the form of an insert member 126; which maybe elliptical in form, as shown in FIG. 6, and which is formedofsuitable insulating material, suchas rubberor neoprene. In this embodiment, the sleeve portion--129-of dust cover member' :27 is enlarged to conform to and embrace -the insert -member 126, and. likewise, the .clampingportions I 1 164 =of-the .clamping members 62 and-* 63 are enlarged to engage and-clamp-sleeveportion 129 of dustcover 27.- Inserti member--126 has suitable openings 131 extend t ing-therethroughsfor. accommodating the'coaxial. cable. It will again beunderstoodthat:female-type,contact ele ments "may be employed --.in theembodiment of FIG.- 5. Apart-from the foregoing; theembodiment of FIG. 5 is I identical-to that shown in the-previousfigures: H

In assembling our improved connector-plug -assembly,.- the cable 23-is inserted through 2the: sleeve'i-portion; 29 of i theidust cover member-27 and in turn through the sleeve member 26swith the conductor ends-.24-4being solderedor crimped 2'10 =the:; contact% element projectingportions 21. I: The sleeve. member 26 .is then moved down the :cable 23 toward ei1dz25 and the 'dustcover member 27 is in turn moved :down thea-cablewallowing 'the sleeve portion-29 to fit 'over andt em'brace thevsleeveamember 26iand the. bottomtiperipheraltedge.tof the body portion: 28 to Seat against the plate or mounting flange. portion 16 of basei member 15. 1116 teover members; 45 .and .46 area-then installed-followed iby zinstallationi of the clamping rmem-i bers'--'62 and 63. It will-die observed that: the. clamping-. members 62' and '63'serve a' three-fold purpose;- z they hold hold the outer =cover men1b'ers '45= and 46' in place, and further-g theyprovicl'estra'in re1ief=*fo1' the-c'able -23 Th assembly procedure for the embodiment-of FIG. 5 is the same as for-"the embodiments *of FIGSJ "1 th10ugh 4u While the foregoing envisions assembly of the sleeve mem ber"26"or adaptor126and'th dust coverme'mber27 on the cable23 o'r coaxial cableas the case may"be,'"prior to connection; of the conductors24' to the contact ele--- ments' 21fins'tallation' of these elementsafter wiringof the connector plug is simply accomplishedby-"merely" slitting the sleeve member 26 and the dust cover member 27 as suggested by the dashed lines 75 and 76, it being understood that sleeve member 26 should be rotated with respect to sleeve member 29 of dust cover member 27 so that the two slits will not be adjacent.

It will now be readily comprehended that we have provided an improved multiple contact connectorjplug assembly in which the requisite mechanical sealing against'the entrance of dust, flexibility, strain relief, is provided in a simple, readily manufactured and assembled device. An additional feature of our invention is the fact that it does not discriminate between male and female connectors, or male and female contact elements.

While we have described above the principles of our invention in connection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation to the scope of our invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A connector plug assembly comprising: a base member having an insulating contact supporting member inserted therein with a plurality of contact elements extending therethrough with portions projecting on its inner side, said base member having a pair of spaced side plate members extending upwardly therefrom on opposite sides of said contact supporting member; a section of electrical cable having a plurality of conductors extending from one end thereof and respectively attached to said contact element projecting portions; a dust cover member having a hollow body portion open at one end and having a sleeve portion formed on and extending from its other end, said cable extending through said sleeve portion, said body portion being positioned between said side plate members with its bottom edge engaging said base member and peripherally surrounding said contact supporting member thereby enclosing said projecting portions of said contact elements and said conductors attached thereto; a pair of cooperating outer cover members respectively extending between said side plate members and engaging the same thereby substantially enclosing said dust cover member body portion, said cover members having mating cutout portions formed therein with said dust cover sleeve portion extending through the opening defined thereby; and means having a first portion clamping said dust cover sleeve portion and second portions respectively engaging said cover members thereby maintaining said connector in assembled relationship and providing strain relief for said cable.

2. A connector plug assembly comprising: a generally rectangular base member having a plurality of contact elements extending therethrough with portions projecting on its inner side, said base member having a pair of spaced parallel plate members extending upwardly from its inner side respectively on opposite sides of said contact elements projecting portions; a section of electrical cable having a plurality of conductors extending from one end thereof and respectively attached to said projecting portions of said contact elements; an insulating sleeve member embracing cable adjacent said one end; a dust cover member formed of insulating material having a generally rectangular hollow body portion open at one end and having a sleeve portion formed on and extending from its other end, said dust cover member having its sleeve portion embracing said sleeve member and its body portion positioned between said side plate members with its bottom edge engaging said inner base member side around said projecting portions of said contact elements thereby enclosing the same and the said conductors attached thereto; a pair of outer cover members respectively extending between said side plate members and engaging the same with their top edges closely adjacent each other and their bottom edges respectively closely adjacent said inner base member sides thereby essentially enclosing said dust cover member body portion, said cover members respectively protectio and cable having mating cut-out portions formed in their top edges portion and leg portions extending over said outer cover members and engaging portions thereon thereby maintaining said connector in-assembled relationship and providing strain relief for said cable.

3'. A connector plug assembly rectangular metal base member having an opening formed therethrough; a contact supporting member formed of insulating material secured in said opening and having a plurality of contact elements extending therethrough with portions projecting on its inner side; a pair of upstanding generally rectangular metal side plate members secured to said base member at opposite ends of said opening; a section of electrical cable having a plurality of conductors extending from one end thereof and respectively attached to said projecting portions of said contact elements; a sleeve member formed of insulating material embracing said cable adjacent said one end; a dust cover member formed of resilient insulating material having a generally rectangular hollow body portion open at one end and having a sleeve portion formed on and extending from its other end, the walls of said body portion being relatively thin, said dust cover member having its sleeve portion embracing said sleeve member and its body portion positioned between said side plate members with its corresponding opposite ends respectively engaging the same and with its bottom marginal edge engaging said base member around the periphery of said opening thereby enclosing said projecting portions of said contact elements and the said conductors attached thereto; a pair of cooperating outer metal cover members each having a generally L-shaped cross-section defining top and side walls, said outer cover members extending between said side plate members with their top and side Walls respectively engaging the top and side outer edges thereof and having their top edges closely adjacent each other and their bottom edges respectively closely adjacent said base member thereby essentially enclosing said dust cover member body portion, said cover members being respectively removably secured to said side plate members adjacent said base member, each of said outer cover members having projecting portions formed from their side walls and extending outwardly therefrom substantially midway between their sides, said cover members respectively having mating cut-out portions formed in their top walls extending inwardly from their top edges with said dust cover sleeve portion extending through the opening defined thereby; and a pair of clamp members respectively having portions clamping said dust cover sleeve portion and hook portions extending over the top and side walls of said outer cover members and engaging said projecting portions thereby maintaining said connector in assembled relationship and providing strain relief for said cable.

4. A connector plug assembly comprising: a generally rectangular base member having a generally rectangular insulating contact supporting member inserted therein with a plurality of contact elements extending therethrough, said base member having a pair of spaced parallel side plate members extending upwardly therefrom on opposite sides of said contact supportingmem-ber; a dust cover member formed of resilient insulating material having a generally rectangular hollow body portion open at one end and having a sleeve portion formed on and extending from its other end, an inner sleeve member within and embraced by said dust cover sleeve member for admitting an electrical cable to the interior of said connector assembly, said body portion being positioned between said side members with the edge of its open end engaging said base member and peripherally surrounding said contact supporting member; a pair of cooperating outer cover members respectively extending between said comprising: a generally 

